By @SimonCocking. Interview with Anna Scheller coming to speak in Dublin on October 5th at the Women’s Inspire Network – From Kitchen Table to Building an Empire, see more here.

What is your background briefly?

I started in business after my husband retired from the military about 12 years. We began as real estate investors, and since my husband worked full time, I naturally worked the business full time. After 9 years in business, I hadn’t realized my dreams for business, although I was working 12, 13 14 hours a day. It was at that point I that I studied sales to grow my business. As I became more successful with my new skills, I started helping people do what I was learning, and started coaching people in sales.

I’m also a mom of 7 children (most of whom are grown now). That alone gives me lots of experience in persuasion! Because of my children, I started Taekwondo in my late 40s, and by the time I turned 50, I earned my 1st degree Black Belt. In my coaching and training, I mix my martial arts background with business to help people become better at sales.
I produce 2 radio shows: Black Belt Selling on Blog Talk Radio, and Sales Mastery on the Amazing Women of Power radio station.

3 Ways to Take Your Sales over the Line. I find that folks struggle with asking for the money, something I can totally relate to! Using Twitter, I will ask what most people struggle with when it comes to closing, and answer those concerns through my talk. TEASER: There will be some martial arts in the talk!

Why will it be a good event to attend?

There will be lots of fabulous people. Just getting the opportunity to to meet all the wonderful people I tweet with will be a treat in and of itself. Loads of great information for entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. Self education is a key to business mastery, and Sam is bringing the best of the best for this event. It is also a great opportunity to network and meet more like minded people. Sales happen face to face. Buckle to buckle as we like to say in Texas. People will meet folks they can speak to, learn from and start working with. If you are ready to make a change, then you MUST clear your calendar to join us!

Hmm, let’s see . . ., YES! I have made loads of connections in Ireland through Twitter, and its the Irish people who invited me to speak!You see, Twitter is about building relationships. You start out not knowing anyone, then you find a friend like Samantha Kelly or Ted Rubin. And they introduce you to their friends. Then you make your own friends. And you start talking about what you do, and they share how they can help you. The best part of Twitter is taking your business off line. Twitter helped me fill my first paid webinar, and through Twitter I have the ability to meet people face to face, have conversation and build more business.

What Social media trends are you excited about at the moment?

First, I think Livestreaming is a powerful social media tool. One of the best ways to get more business is to engage in public speaking and video. Livestreaming is a powerful tool to do just that. If used correctly, it can give you the ability to establish yourself as an expert as well as cost nothing more than your time. Plus it provides a very powerful way to interact and get to know people all over the world!

International community is also another social media trend that is very compelling. I live in a small town in Texas, at least 150 miles away from any metropolitan area. I don’t have to move to be able to share my message to the world. Social media has expanded my reach across the globe, without having to uproot my family or buy a new home. And with smartphones, anyone can reach any audience at anytime wherever they may be.

Who do you follow for your inspiration and insights?

The Tweetinggoddess. Sam is not just my mentor, she has become my friend. I look to her for guidance, and as an example of how to engage on social media.

Robin Sharma: Robin’s messages inspire me and help me stay well grounded. He is very much a mindset kind of guy, and that is where I believe all success truly starts.

Brian Tracy: Brian’s book, “The Psychology of Selling” started me on my path to sales mentorship. And in that I found passion to help others like I was helped. He is so smart about so many things business. I can’t imagine not following him.

He and Sam are my favorites so their tweets show up on my phone so I can keep up with them!

We can be online 24/7, how do you manage your work life balance?

Sometimes, I just stop what I’m doing to be with my family. Hugging my kids and being with my husband help me to stay grounded in all that I do. I think it’s ok to escape reality for a bit. My favorite TV shows include the Star Trek serie (I love them all), and I go to the movies> i’m big into action shows. As long as the good guys win, I love it.

I also engage in meditation, prayer and Bible Reading. Connecting with God is important for keeping life in perspective. And as the source of all goodness, I am reminded that I am loved and cared for, even when things are not going my way. And that helps me rest, and get excited to start a new day.

Anything else we should have asked you / you’d like to add?

Just a thought for most people: Sales and business is a learnable skill.
over 55% of all people who make their living from sales don’t have the proper training to be successful at it. And that doesn’t include entrepreneurs and small business owners. I work with struggling sales professionals and small business owners who are ready to create confidence and abundance through the very same sales strategies and techniques that helped me grow my business 50% in one year. If I can do it, anyone can! If you are ready, I can help you!

If you would like to have your company featured in the Irish Tech News Business Showcase, get in contact with us at [email protected] or on Twitter: @SimonCocking